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“Being a one-night stand?”
“You’re not a one-night stand in my mind.” He took her arm and walked her out of the elevator before the door shut on them. “You’re a friend of mine. A close friend. They don’t need to know anything more than that.”
She nodded. “That works, and thank you for not saying anything more to Flanagan about last night.”
He stopped her in front of the suite he shared with his team. “I told you last night I would never treat anyone that way. You can trust me.”
She stared up at him. Her chocolate-colored eyes were something he could get lost in so easily. “I’m trusting you with my life and the life of officers around the world.”
Deacon blinked. “Well, damn, no pressure there.”
She laughed, and then he opened the door and yelled, “Lady on deck!”
CHAPTER 5
Echo blinked at the warning but went through the door anyway. A huge man came out of the kitchenette with what looked like half a Danish. He swallowed hard, then tossed the Danish back onto the counter. Wiping his hands on his jeans, he extended one. “Hi, my handle is Ranger. I’m his second in command.”
“Ranger, nice to meet you. I’m Echo.”
The man cocked his head. “Is that your call sign?”
“No. Believe it or not, that’s my real name.” She laughed.
“Awesome name.” Ranger smiled at her and turned to Deacon. “Everything is good to go.”
“Copy. Let me grab my comms, and we’ll discuss the plan with everyone.” Turning to Echo, he told her, “I’ll be right back.” Then he left the room.
Three other men came out of the other side of the suite, and Ranger quickly introduced them. “That’s Ace, the next one is Bandit, our medic, and the last is Rip. Guys, this is Echo, real name, not a handle.”
She shook each of their hands. “Nice to meet you.”
“Where are we heading?” Ace asked her.
She blinked at the blunt question, but Ranger spoke up. “Cap is going to brief us all.”
Deacon walked back into the room and tapped his ear. “Okay, Click, are you online?”
The men all nodded at the same time. Echo’s curiosity took over. “Wait, where’s your transmitter?” She walked up to Deacon and pulled his shirt collar out. He slapped at her hands, but she wouldn’t be deterred. Stepping to the side, she pulled the bottom of his ear. “Come down here. I want to see that.”
“Hey, stop that.” Deacon grabbed her hand and held it. “Click, get permission for Echo to have comms. We’re going to need them in the jungle.”
“Yeah, get me permission. I want to see that nanotechnology. That’s James Bond type stuff. Is your transmitter and receiver in the same system? Is it closed or open communications?” She stood on her toes and grabbed his shoulder to look into his ear again. What she’d seen before wasn’t nearly enough. Deacon put his arm around her and spun her away from him.
“Behave yourself, woman, or I’ll spank you.”
She put her hands on her hips. “That isn’t fair. You can hear what’s going on, and I can’t.” She glanced at the men across the room and stopped. All four of them stood with jaws dropped, staring at her and Deacon. She pointed at Deacon and then herself. “Good friends.”
Ranger snapped his jaw shut and cleared his throat. “Obviously.”
She wasn’t going to let their reaction detract her from her interest in the comm device. “Seriously, how long will it take?”
Ace moved suddenly, going back into the area he came from. She looked at Deacon. “Did I do that?”
Deacon laughed. “No, Click got approval for you to have a device. Ace is getting you one.”
“Oh.” She straightened her shoulders and smiled in victory. “Good.” Ace was back a moment later with a case in his hand.
“These are comms we use for emergencies or when someone needs access,” Deacon said. “He’s going to measure your ear and give you the best fit we have.”